Corporal James C. Watson was a soldier in the U.S. Army who received the Medal of Honor for his actions on July 12, 1870 at Wichita River, Texas during the Indian Campaigns. At the time he was serving with Company L, 6th U.S. Cavalry. Watson was about 28 years old.
12 other service members also received the Medal of Honor for actions on the same day. The medal was presented on August 25, 1870. He later rose to the rank of Sergeant.
Watson was born in 1842 in Cochecton, Sullivan County, New York. His Medal of Honor is credited to Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania. Watson died on January 7, 1890 in Chicago, Illinois, at the age of about 48. He is buried at Rose Hill Cemetery in Chicago, Illinois.
Watson is one of 426 Medal of Honor recipients from the Indian Campaigns and one of 380 credited to Pennsylvania.
Official Medal of Honor citation
Gallantry in action.
Citation text: U.S. Government, public domain.
Timeline
- 1842Born in Cochecton, Sullivan County, New York
- July 12, 1870Act of valor — Wichita River, TexasAge about 28. Company L, 6th U.S. Cavalry
- August 25, 1870Medal of Honor presented
- January 7, 1890Died in Chicago, IllinoisAge about 48.
- Resting placeRose Hill CemeteryChicago, Illinois